The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed a panel of umpires that would monitor International cricket matches played all around the globe. This panel is known as the Elite Panel and it comprises of ICC umpires. It was first set up in April 2002 after the ICC felt a serious need of reformation in the manner in which the international cricket was being umpired. A major change came with the decision of having two umpires from a neutral country in Tests and one neutral umpire in ODIs. Earlier only one of the two umpires used to be from an impartial country in Tests and ODIs were officiated by the both the umpires coming from the country hosting the match.
With a vision of setting up high umpiring standards, the members of the Panel fulfill most of the ICC appointments. Members of the panel are usually considered as world’s best umpires who stand in about ten Test matches and fifteen One Day International matches every year.
The First Elite Panel
The first Panel that was established in 2002 comprised of efficient umpires like David Shepherd, Steve Bucknor, Rudi Koertzen, Asoka de Silva, Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan, Daryl Harper, Russell Tiffin and Dave Orchard. The panel has gone through several changes post the retirement of umpires like David Shepherd, Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan and Steve Bucknor. In 2004, the contracts of Dave Orchard, Russell Tiffin and Asoka de Silva were not renewed. However, de Silva was included again in the year 2008. There have been several additions to the Panel over the years. Umpires like Darrell Hair and Billy Bowden and Simon Taufel were included in the Penal in 2002. Later additions include Darrell Hair in 2003, Aleem Dar in the year 2004, Asad Rauf, Mark Benson and Billy Doctrove in 2006, and Steve Davis in 2008.Tony Hill and Ian Gould were included in 2009.
The Current Elite Panel
The current composition of the Elite Panel includes experiences and proficient umpires like Daryl Harper, Steve Davis, Billy Bowden, Simon Taufel, Aleem Dar, Ian Gould, Asad Rauf, Tony Hill, Billy Doctrove, Rudi Koertzen and Asoka de Silva.
Sponsors
Emirates Airlines is the official sponsor of the Elite Panel. Wherever umpires are conducting a match, they are seen wearing uniforms with ‘Fly Emirates’ written on them.
Darrell Hair Controversy
Australian umpire Darrell Hair was involved in a Ball Tempering Controversy in 2006. He was banned from conducting international matches. As a result, he sued the International Cricket Council citing racial discrimination as no action was taken against the other umpire. After some time Hair withdrew his appeal and was asked to conduct matches of ICC associate members. He was re-included in the Elite Panel in March, 2008. Between March to August 2008, Hair was only called for two test matches. In order to accept a coaching offer, Hair resigned from the Elite Panel in August 2008.